Suspensory buckle



May l2, 1942. J. v. AMEN'DOLA 2,282,635

susPENsoRY- BUCKLE Filed Jan. 22, 1941 Patented May l2, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE` Y 2,282,635 l f e SUSPENSORY BUCKLE James Vincenzo Amendola, Kenosha, Wis.

Application January 22, 1941, Serial No. 375,506

3 Claims.

This invention relates tobuckles for general surgical and other uses, andit is particularly valuable for use in the attachment of suspensories to the body of a vperson for kvarious purposes, and particularly for the conventional suspensory, and has for an object to present a simplied connection means by which the several straps and elastic of such devices may be connected in a manner to afford a maximum comfort to the wearer, as well as eliminating many of the disadvantages involved in the use `of the conventional prior fastening members. As is well known, at the present time, a suspensory ordinarily includes a waistband, usually of elastic material, attached permanently at one end to a non-elastic strap base or pad portion from which the conventional suspensory sackis suspended, the sack being permanently attached thereto. On the base piece there are ordinarily required a buckle for connecting the end of the waist-band, and respective buckles for connecting the ends of the leg straps, the leg straps being permanently attached to the sack at the rear part of the latter, all of these buckles requiring separate operations of attachment to the base piece. It is therefore an important aim of my invention to eliminate the separate operations of attachment in order to attain fastening means for the several straps in such suspensories, as well as adapting my device for use in various other suspensories. e

A further important aim' of the invention, is to present a buckle device which combines several functions and capabilities of attachment not found in the conventional buckle, and especiallyV suiting it to surgical uses, and other peculiar situations where a number of straps are required to be connected, and especially where they must lead to the buckle in an angular relation to each other.

Additional objects, advantages and features of invention reside in the'construction, arrangement and combination of parts involved in the embodiment of the invention, as will be more readily understood from the following description and accompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a view of abuckle embodying my invention attached to a strap and base piece for. one of its possible uses. Y

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the same buckle without any connected parts. Y

Figure 3 is a plan of a modification of the buckle.

Figure 4 is a plan of a double buckle.

Figure 5 is a similar View of another form of the double buckle. j f

Figure 6 is a view of a buckle embodying the features of the last mentioned device, further modified toeadapt it to use in suspensory devices. Figure 7 is a perspective view of the buckle of Figure 3.

Figure 8 is a plan view of a buckle constituting Y a furthermodication of the invention.

Figure 9 is an edge view thereof. f

There is illustrated in Figure 1, a buckle 'consisting of a double prong wire frame piece Ill, substantially U-shaped in general form, but having its bight portion II broadened so as to form an approximately rectangular frame piece having a bottom pivot bar I2, by which the buckle may be attached to a strap I3 or the like, as shown in Figure 1. In the present instance, the strap is looped around the bar I2 and secured to the base pad I4 which underlies the whole buckle,

as shown. The attachment of the loop to the bar I2 in this instance at the same time secures the device upon the supporting pad 'or 'base piecel I4. From the bar I2 two side portions I5 extend at right angles, a vshort distance, the wire being then bent inwardly 'at a sharp 'angle parallel to the bar I2, forming shoulder b'ars I6, and the ends of the Wire at the inner parts of these bars I6 are bent outwardly at a sharp right angle and extended in parallel relation, to form prongs I'l.` A cross bail plate I8 is provided, comprising two arms I9 having their ends engaged pivotally around respective shoulder bars I6, these arms being divergently outward so as to leave la broad space beside the prongs Il, and the plate' is formed with a transverse edge 20 adapted tolie under the point of the prong I1, as shown in Figure 1. The body of the plate I8 outwardly of the edge 20 is somewhat triangular in shape, providing an outer transverse edge 2 I ,which is disposedl at an angle to the edge 20, this angle in vthe present instance being in the neighborhood of twenty degrees or more, and having suitableears 22 formed on its edge, in which there is pivotedV a wire frame device, Ill', similar in shape to the one IIJ, first described, and having elements corre'- .sponding to those described in the member I0, v.

for the purposes desired, there is formed a large opening 28, adapted to receive a tape therethrough, or the like, and pivoted upon the plate I8 inwardly of this opening, there is a spurred keeper tongue 29, which is pivoted to swing in a plane parallel with and close against the plate I8, so that the spurs 35 thereof will extend slightly beyondthe opening, and adapted to penetrate a plate or the like which is inserted through the opening, and to retain the same against withdrawal when inserted from the under side next the piece I4, and the end drawn outwardly asufficient distance for the spurs-30 to engage thereinf In Figure 2, the device illustrated is identical.

with that shown in Figure l, with the 'exceptitin"l Y ment similarly attached, or could be extended around the ,body ofthe wearer, and attached to the arm to be supported, and continued therefrom to the buckle element at III', where the end of the tape or other supporting means could be connected. By proper adjustment of the band I3 an injured member would thus be supported in close relation to the body of the wearer.

In such conventional use, the base piece I4 is adjusted at the front of the abdomen of the basev bar I2', of

wearer, while the band I3 is passed around the Waist and its ends inserted under the bail I8 and forced upwardly under the edge 2U and outwardly from the device, the points Il being then pressed against the extended end portion, so that when the latter is released, the tension on the belt will draw the end portion backwardly until it is checked by the spurs'or prongs I1, the latter penetrating the band and being drawn by the band downwardly toward the barY I8 until the parts rest thereagainst. The remaining extremity of the belt may then be disposed of, or retained in any conventional way, familiar in such devices. A leg strap from the suspensory device, after passing rearwardly therefrom under the crotch of the wearer, may be brought forwardly around the leg of the wearer and its end secured in the supplementary diagonallydisposed buckle III. By reason of the arrangement of this buckle on the diagonal edge 2|, the direction of the leg strap is accommodated, these leg straps usually extending upwardly and inwardly toward the extremity of the leg strap, as is well known. If desired, the opening 28 may be utilized for attaching a tape extended upwardly from a suspensory bag or the like, so that the latter may be detachably supported by my buckle', instead of being permanently attached to the support piece I4, which would be the conventional practice.

For such use as last described,'my buckle is of peculiarV value, venhancing, cleanliness of suspensories, by enabling their more ready laundering independently of the belt and strap device, as well as allowing the latter to berenewed and replaced readily, or laundered separately, from the suspensory bag when necessary.

In Figure 3, there is illustrated a further improvement in buckle construction,y in Iwhich a frame piece 45 is provided, of simple rectangular constituting the base of the buckle.

form, being adapted to be stamped of sheet metal with a single opening therethrough, although other features of my invention above described may be added thereto, if desired. The frame includes side bars 4I, a bail bar 42, and a pivot bar 43, Some of the material of which the frame is formed, struck from the opening 44 of the device is curved toward one side of the frame and recurved, so as to form a pivot sleeve 45 which is engaged around the base bar I Z-a of a Wire pin III-a, corresponding to that numbered III in Figures 1 and 2, and of identical form, the two points II being adapted to swing against the bail bar 42, while the lateral bight 46 formed by the parts I5' and I6 corresponding to the parts I5 and I5 before described, are arranged to clear the openings 44, vso as to permit a wide strap to lie therein, with its-edges close to the side members'43 of the frame 40. This device has the same advantage as the rst described article in that the pin piece is so arranged that a strap may pass therethrough in the clear, with its full width lying at In the device of Figure 3, the butt end of a belt may be passed upwardly through the bight portion 46 as viewed in Figure 3, and inserted then downwardly over the points and through the frame 40, the points being below the frame in this view, and when the points are inserted through-the end portion, this will serve as a fastening for the belt and buckle, while the other end may be;V then also inserted downwardly through the frame 4I), and then drawn back- Wardly and with the points inserted therethrough willbe thereby secured adjustably. The butt end of the belt beyond the point of engagement of the points I'I" may be inserted upwardly and through the bight 46 and extended outwardly over the pivot sleeve 45 under the body portion of the belt, to make a neat appearance. Y

In Figure 5, a buckle frame 5I] is illustrated, consisting of side bars 5I,a base bar and pivot sleeve 52 and successively spaced therefrom three crossV bars 53, 54, and `55, the latter being the outermost. While these are shown uniformly v spaced, the spacing may be varied to meet various requirements, as will be understood. Pivoted in the sleeve bar 52,1 there is a pin frame .member 56, generally resembling the one II), first described, except that the points 5I are much longer, the lateral bight portions 58 being substantially of the same size as the corresponding Aparts in the members III and IIJ-a. The bars 52 and 53 are so spaced that the bight portion of the pin member 56 alinewith the framepart, and affording an opening 59 through which the ends of a belt or other hand or strap may be inserted as may be required. The device as thus described has a central slot 60, and an outer slot 6I, through which respective bands, straps or .belt ends may be passed for securement by the Ystopped by the engagement of the pin across the bars 54 and 55, as well as the bar 5I. 'I'his affords a great deal of support for the pin portions engaged through the band material, andV greatly strengthens the anchorage of the band. The

extremity lof the band so engaged may then be recurved and passed outwardly through the slot 5,9 and over the bar 52, where it will be held'and concealed under the body portion of thestrap. The other end of the strap may then be secured by insertion through the slot 60 or the slot'6l, and the points 51 engaged therethroughto retain it in adjusted positions; After engagement of the other end of the waist-band orfbelt in the slot 60, a leg strap may be secured in the slot 6l by being passed downwardly therethrough, and points 51 engaged through the inserted part of the leg strap after the latter-has been adjusted to proper position.

In the last described `form of the-buckle', the points 51 are so supported by the bars 53, 54 and 55 that the points 51, made of comparatively fine Wire, are enabled to sustain the'securedstrap ends with a minimum of liability of'bending or dislodgement, enabling a comparativelylight weight buckle structure to perform heavy service when required.

In Figure 6 there is illustrated a. further development of the buckle shown in Figure 5,

adapting it particularly toV vuse with the con-f ventional suspensory bag,Y and waist-band and leg strap. In this instance the frame 62 corresponding to the frame 59 before described, is formed with a considerably elongated side bar 65, corresponding to the side bar I- in the last form of the device, while the opposite side bar 64 is of the same length as the side bar 5|, before described. -The width of the buckle'may be the same as in the device of Figure 5. The frame 62 is formed with a base bar 65 which may be the same as the bar 52, last described, and the second bar 66 the same as the bar 53 before described. A third bar 61, however, is formed substantially in the shape of the bail bar I6 of the first described buckle, being considerably broadened at the right hand side, while the left hand end is of substantially the same width as the bar 54. An outer or fourth bar 68 is formed next the outer ends of the side bars 63 and 64, this bar being parallel to the outer edge 69 of the triangular bar 61. Transverse slots 10 and 1I are thus formed between the bars 65, 66 and 61, which are simple rectangular ones corresponding to those 59 and 6|) before described, and a diagonal slot 12 is formed between the bars 61 and 68, the transverse edges of the slot 12 being parallel and the slot having the same width as the others between the bars 61 and 68, as well as between the bars 63 and 64. A pin piece 13 is provided on the buckle, having a base the same as that of the Din members 51, and as shown in Figures 1 to 3, inclusive, and Figure '1, this base portion including two bights 18 which aline with end members around the slot 10, as understood. The base portions of the points 14 of this device are extended as before, at right angles to the pivot axis and with respect to the bar 66, but immediately beyond the slot 5l they are bent diagonally, as at 15, so as to cross the slot 12 also at right angles to the latter slot. This device may be utilized in the same way as described for using the device of Figure 5, but it has the advantage of enabling a leg strap to extend therefrom with less likelihood of twisting, and will give the strap a better direction adjacent the buckle, as well as equalizing the strain between the strap and the respective pin members 14.

In Figure 8 there is shown a three bar buckle frame 89, of rectangular form in the present instance, although it maybe Vvaried in accordance 'with the previous disclosures herein, Aif A de- :'sired.

` outer bar 84, the latter three being cross bars,

and arranged `parallel to Yeach other, so. as to form a base slot 85, and an outer slot 86. A pin or prong member 81 is provided in this device vwhich is in the same form as the pin or prong member lll-a. described, and shown in Figures 3 and '1, and is pivoted on the-base bar 82, in the same manner as the device of Figures 3 and'?, but has the additional advantage that bycurving the side bars 8|, the buckle may be-more readily fastened and the outer point portions are better supported by the bars 83 and 84, so as to minimize liability of `deforming of the pin or prong member and its points.

In Figure 4 there is shown a device which in effect constitutes a'double buckle frame' 90Yhaving the elements of the buckle of Figure 8 duplicated at each end, but with a single control pivot cross bar 9i, in which the base portion of two pin members 92 are commonly pivoted in the same manner that the single pin member of Figure 3 is pivoted. outwardly of the central bar 9|, there are intermediate pressure bars 92', and at each extremity of the frame there are parallel pressure bars 93. These bars form inner slots 94 at each end of the buckle, and outer slots 95, as shown. -The bight portions of the pin members Ill-b, which correspond to the members IU and l-a beforedescribed, are alined with the slots 94, while their point portions I1-b are supported at their bases upon the bars 92', and their points upon the respective adjacent bars 93.

In the use of this device, a belt, band or strap may have one end secured around the bar 9|, While its other end may be engaged through one of the slots 95 and held by the pin point thereadjacent, while the other end of the buckle may be utilized to secure one'or more other straps or bands, and particularly the end of a leg band of a suspensory, in which instance the device may be shaped to conform to the structure of Figure 6 at one end, so that ardiagonally extending strap may be more readily connected thereto.

My invention utilizing the pin or tongue elements I9, Ill-a, etc., as illustrated in all of the different forms of the invention has the advantage of enabling a strap to be engaged with my buckle without requiring it to be perforated or otherwise weakened centrally to permit it to pass around a prong, point or the like pivoted on the buckle, and also to permit the insertion of an outer extremity of a belt or the like, downwardly through the buckle, retaining all the advantages of a pivoted pin or prong device for positive anchorage of a strap end, while at the same time having the advantages of one-piece buckles in permitting the insertion of the loose strap end downwardly therethrough. It also attains the advantage of holding the loose strap end without requiring special enlargement of the buckle frame to extend beyond the pivot axis of the pivoted tongue or point, as in conventional buckles. r The invention as illustrated in Figure 1 and Figures 4 to 6, inclusive, and as otherwise described, has the advantages of providing a complete buckle assembly for a conventional suspensory, while attaining the elimination of ventional devices, while at the same time giving a compact and convenient arrangement of the connecting means for the several bands and straps involved in such devices. The device shown in Figure 1 has all of the essentials Vfor a complete suspensory bag mounting, a single leg strap being suicient to anchor the lower part of the bag, as will be understood, for which reason only a single auxiliary buckle has been shown upon the main larger buckle bar I8. However, if desired, an additional small buckle, or a second leg strap may be mounted upon the device in the proper angle, if desired, this being thought to require no illustration.

While I have described my invention with great particularity, it will be appreciated and understood, as already indicated, that various modifications in the construction, arrangement and combination of parts, and substitutions of equivalents, may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, as more particularly set forth in the appended claims.

I claim: Y

1. A buckle of the character described comprising a penetrating tongue element in the form of an open wire frame having a pivot bar and a pair of inwardly extended bars parallel thereto, said bars being bent at right angles defining a pair of penetrating tongue elements, a cross bail member pivoted on the bars laterally outward of the penetrating tongue elements and having a portion adapted to receive the penetrating tongue elements of the frame thereagainst, said cross bail member being broadened to form an inclined edge at its outer part beyond the point of contact of the penetrating tongue elements, and asecond buckle pivoted on said inclined edge, constructed for engagement with a strap end, as described.

2,. The structure of claim 1 in which said broadened portion of the cross bail is provided with an opening therethrough, and a prong member swingably pivoted on the cross bail, adapted to swing across said opening in close relation thereto, and for penetration of a strap or the like inserted through said opening.

3. A buckle member comprising a penetrating tongue frame element bent to form a pivot bar and having outer point portions inset toward each other in parallel relation whereby to form laterally extending bars at respective sides, said tongue frame being formed of wire; a cross bail memberv stamped from sheet metal having respective arms formed for pivotal engagement around respective bars adjacent the bases of the points and including a flat cross bail member extended in a plane parallel with said bars whereby to present a transverseedge portion to receive the point portions thereagainst, said cross bail member having an inclined outer edge, a hinge knuckle formed thereon, a buckle pivoted on said knuckle and including a bail having a pressure bar inclined with respect to the inner side of said at cross bail member, and said buckle having penetrating tongue elements thereon inclined with respect to the first named penetrating tongue elements and cooperable with the second named cross bail member as a pressure bar, for the purposes described.

JAMES VINCENZO AMENDOLA. 

